Kesha Opens Up About Her Halted Music Career in ‘Times’ Profile, Dr. Luke Responds

On October 26, The New York Times published a revealing interview with Kesha in which the pop star spoke about her current status in the music industry as well as, to the extent in which she is legally allowed, her ongoing legal battle with producer Dr. Luke, who she previously alleged drugged, raped and emotionally abused her during their time working together. (Dr. Luke has denied all claims.)

Speaking to to the Times, the singer-songwriter opened up her creatively restrictive former work relationship with Dr. Luke, claiming that while they worked together early on in her career the pop star had little control over her image and lyrical content.

On writing her hit single "TiK ToK," Kesha said that the producer repeatedly asked her to dumb the song down, expressing, "I remember specifically him saying: 'Make it more dumb. Make it more stupid. Make it more simple, just dumb.'"

Kesha also claimed that lyrics she personally found offensive or counter to her "ultra-till-the-day-I-die feminist" mission would often find their way into her songs.

"Lyrics that would say: 'Get that heifer out my face / I’m going to pull your ponytail back because you don’t know me, b---h, you phony trick,'" she explained, adding, "I was like, O.K., not going to sing that. I will not sing those words. Like, no. And then there was this argument about it..."

The profile, titled "Kesha, Interrupted," paints a controlling image of Dr. Luke, as well as a dismal scenario for Kesha, who claims she has not been able to release music during her ongoing legal situation with Sony nor pursue alternative methods to earn an income aside from small tours and one-off gigs.

However, in a statement to Billboard, the producer's camp denied the artist's claims, calling the article a "part of a continuing coordinated press campaign by Kesha to mislead the public, mischaracterize what has transpired over the last two years, and gain unwarranted sympathy."

"The reality is that for well over two years, Kesha chose—and it was entirely her choice—not to provide her label with any music," continues the statement, which also says that Kesha "exiled herself" of her own accord.